As a Supervisor - Fire Prevention, you will lead and manage a team of fire prevention specialists and technicians within the Department of National Defence (DND). Your primary responsibility is to oversee fire prevention programs, inspections, and safety initiatives across military installations and facilities. You will ensure compliance with federal fire codes, DND policies, and occupational health and safety regulations while protecting personnel, equipment, and infrastructure from fire-related hazards.
Your day-to-day responsibilities include scheduling and conducting fire safety inspections, managing team workloads and performance, developing and implementing fire prevention training programs, investigating fire incidents, and maintaining detailed records and reports. You will collaborate with other DND departments, emergency services, and external fire authorities to ensure comprehensive fire safety coverage. As a supervisor, you will also be responsible for mentoring your team, identifying training needs, and ensuring adherence to safety protocols and professional standards.
You will work in a safety-conscious environment that demands attention to detail and a commitment to preventing loss of life and property. Your work may involve both office-based administrative tasks and field inspections at various military locations, including barracks, hangars, storage facilities, and operational areas. The role requires you to stay current with evolving fire codes, emerging fire prevention technologies, and best practices in the field.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily fire prevention operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Threat assessment, Investigation techniques, Emergency response, Situational awareness, Physical fitness, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this position, you must have a secondary school diploma or equivalent and several years of experience in firefighting or fire prevention work. Many candidates hold a National Fire Code certification or equivalent provincial fire prevention certification. Advanced qualifications such as a Fire Protection Technician diploma or certification from a recognized training institution are highly valued.
DND will provide specialized training in federal fire safety regulations, DND-specific fire prevention procedures, and supervisory management skills. You may have opportunities to pursue additional certifications such as the Fire Prevention Officer designation or advanced fire safety inspector credentials. Ongoing professional development is available through the Public Service Learning Portal, including courses in leadership, team management, and emerging fire safety technologies. DND also supports attendance at professional conferences and workshops related to fire prevention and safety management.
Entry Plans
You can enter this career through several pathways within the federal Public Service. The primary route is through a merit-based competition advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website (jobs.gc.ca). These competitions are typically open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents with the required education, certifications, and relevant experience in firefighting or fire prevention.
If you are already a member of the federal Public Service, you may apply for this position through internal competitions or priority hiring initiatives. Lateral moves from other fire safety or emergency management roles within DND or other government departments are common. Some candidates progress into this supervisor role after gaining experience as Fire Prevention Specialists or Technicians within DND. Military members transitioning to the civilian workforce may also be considered if they hold equivalent qualifications and experience in fire prevention or firefighting roles.
Part-Time Options
Fire prevention supervision roles within DND are typically full-time permanent positions. However, DND recognizes the need for work-life balance and may offer flexible scheduling options on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and management approval. Some administrative duties can potentially be performed remotely, though field inspections and team supervision will require regular on-site presence at military installations.
Part-time opportunities in fire prevention are limited due to the supervisory nature of the role and the critical nature of fire safety oversight. If part-time work is important to you, you may wish to explore entry-level Fire Prevention Technician positions, which may offer more scheduling flexibility. All DND employees have access to leave benefits, including vacation leave, sick leave, and family-related leave entitlements. DND also offers employee assistance programs and wellness initiatives to support work-life integration.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
